Kosovo’s independence has proved its doubters wrong

Sir, James Dancer (Letters, April 15) has been proved utterly wrong with his earlier grim predictions of “further bloodshed” (March 30 2007), “a return to war” and “the ethnic cleansing of tens of thousands of Serbs” in Kosovo (September 12 2007). Kosovo has become an independent country – a fulfilment of our freedom and aspiration to our own nationhood – but nothing of the sort has materialised.

Kosovo’s transition to independence has been largely smooth. The country has seen huge progress since its declaration of independence 14 months ago. The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo rounds off our nationhood and enshrines unprecedented rights and privileges for the minorities, especially the Serbs. Fifty seven states have recognised Kosovo so far (as many as 22 of the 27 European Union members, most of the Nato countries, seven of the Group of Eight member states), and this process is flowing.

To hope that Kosovo’s independence is reversible is wishful thinking. “Kosovo is consolidating its place as a sovereign international actor,” said David Miliband, the UK Foreign Secretary, in remarks made on our nation’s first birthday.

The unsubstantiated claims about the Kosovo Liberation Army cannot set Kosovo on a de-recognition course, as Mr Dancer absurdly suggests.

Kosovo’s independence has brought peace of mind to the overwhelming majority of Kosovars, stability to south-east Europe, and prospects of European integration for all of us in the region.

Muhamet Hamiti,
Chargé d’Affaires,
Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo,
London W1, UK

This text was published on the “Letters and Comments” section of http://www.ft.com/ on 21st April 2009